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The gaps between the GC favourites after Tadej Pogacar sets the benchmark in the Vuelta opening TT Tadej Pogačar landed the first blow among the main GC contenders, setting the fastest time of 10:57 and immediately opening up gaps to his rivals. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader’s closest GC rival was his own teammate João Almeida, who finished 18 seconds down. Primož Roglič was the next of the established Grand Tour contenders at 22 seconds, with Carlos Rodríguez at 27 seconds and Mattias Skjelmose at 29. Further back, Richard Carapaz and Enric Mas both lost 33 seconds, while Visma | Lease a Bike duo Jørgen Nordhagen and Ben Tulett finished 35 and 36 seconds behind Pogačar respectively. The differences remain relatively contained, with Santiago Buitrago at 38 seconds, Sepp Kuss at 45 seconds and Felix Gall at 46 seconds. Oscar Onley conceded 50 seconds, while Cian Uijtdebroeks and Jarno Widar finished 54 and 55 seconds down. Mikel Landa suffered the biggest loss among the main GC names in this group, finishing 1:14 behind Pogačar. | Rider | Team | Timegap | |---|---|---| Tadej Pogačar | UAE Team Emirates-XRG | | João Almeida | UAE Team Emirates-XRG | +0.18 | Primož Roglič | Red Bul-Bora-Hansgrohe | +0.22 | Carlos Rodríguez | Netcompany-Ineos | +0.27 | Tobias Halland Johannessen | Uno-X Mobility | +0.28 | Mattias Skjelmose | Lidl-Trek | +0.29 | Enric Mas | Movistar | +0.33 | Richard Carapaz | EF Education-EasyPost | +0.33 | Jørgen Nordhagen | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | +0.35 | Ben Tulett | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | +0.36 | Santiago Buitrago | Bahrain Victorious | +0.38 | Sepp Kuss | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | +0.45 | Felix Gall | Decathlon CMA CGM Team | +0.46 | Oscar Onley | Netcompany-Ineos | +0.50 | Cian Uijtdebroeks | Movistar | +0.54 | Jarno Widar | Lotto-Intermarché | +0.55 | Mikel Landa | Soudal Quick Step | +1.14 | Join our WhatsApp service Be first to know. Subscribe to Domestique on WhatsApp for free and stay up to date with all the latest from the world of cycling.